Effects of a School Physical Education Program Combined With Cognitive Games on Executive Function: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a 12-week school-based physical education (PE) program incorporating cognitively engaging games on children's executive functions, with a focus on inhibitory control and working memory. This randomized clinical trial included 102 children, aged 8-11 years, randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. Executive functions were assessed using the Stroop Test (inhibitory control) and Corsi Block-Tapping Test (working memory). All children attended 2 weekly PE classes, and the experimental group received 3 additional weekly PE sessions over 12 weeks. Data were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations (α = .05). Results: A significant group × time interaction was found for inhibitory control, with a greater reduction in Stroop interference in the experimental group compared with the control group (Δ = -0.025, 95% CI, -0.048 to -0.002; P = .008). No significant effects were observed for Stroop components. Working memory improved over time in both groups (P = .001), with no between-group difference (P = .191). Conclusion: These findings support the integration of cognitively stimulating activities into school-based PE as a targeted strategy to enhance inhibitory control in childhood, with no evidence of differential effects on working memory.